Ruth Gould Biography

Ruth Gould is the Artistic Director of DaDaFest, and previously was its Chief Executive Officer, since February 2001. In 2001, Ruth established the festivalby bringing together cultural organisations and artists to develop a 10 day festival that would bring about social change through direct action, influence and example and place disabled artists into the spotlight.

Ruth is seen as a leader and pioneer in this field and continues to be passionate about empowering disabled artists. In her 30’s she became involved with Deaf and Disability Arts. She started out as a volunteer before being invited to work at Full Circle Arts in Manchester.

Ruth is on the Board of Michigan based DisArt, an advisory member for both the Granada Foundation and Liverpool City Council Tourism and Culture Select Committee. She also became a Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside in April 2015. Previous board involvements have also been Culture Liverpool (and chair of the creative communities sub group), Bluecoat Arts Centre – vice chair, Contact Theatre and co-opted member of National Museums Liverpool.

As a stimulating and enthusiastic public speaker, Ruth is regularly invited to speak about subjects relating to Disability and Deaf arts at conferences and cultural events across the globe. In Early 2014, Ruth became a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travel Fellow which has enabled her to visit locations in India, and Malawi, and more to explore howthe arts within countries outside the UK can empower and reposition disabled and deaf people in society.”